Woodford County: Nature, History and Trails along the Illinois River

Woodford County combines nature experiences along the Illinois River with regional history, museums and trails for active days. Depending on your focus, you can discover wetlands and river landscapes, historic courthouses and homes, or places where walking, cycling and time outdoors can be combined. When searching for a vacation rental or holiday home, it is therefore worthwhile to first determine the desired character of your trip.

Nature along the Illinois River and diverse landscapes

The Woodford State Fish and Wildlife Area is located on the eastern bank of the Illinois River and covers 2,900 acres, including 2,462 acres of water. More than 3 miles of marked trails are available there for hiking and cross-country skiing. Access for hunters is possible from January 1 through October 1. This gives the area different points of connection for a stay amid water, trails and nature observation.

Spring Bay Fen is particularly distinctive: It is considered the only remaining example of a cold-water, high-shrub fen along the Illinois River in the state of Illinois. Rare plants find habitat there, along with wood ducks, herons, great egrets, bullfrogs, garter snakes and beavers. Twelve natural communities meet at the Chinquapin Bluffs Land and Water Reserve, including dry hill prairie, sand prairie, wet seep springs, marsh and forested floodplain.

The Letcher Basin Land and Water Reserve also extends along 1.5 miles of the Mackinaw River and contains habitats for endangered and threatened species. Access is from the north via County Road 1975E or Denman Road; visitors will find a small, informal parking area there. At Chinquapin Bluffs, the Sam Leman Canoe Launch provides paddlers with access to the Mackinaw River. The associated parking area also provides access to the eastern section of the preserve, while the trails begin approximately 100 yards south of the parking area.

History and culture in Metamora and Eureka

Metamora is home to the Metamora Courthouse, built in 1845. Until the county seat was moved to Eureka in 1896, it was the center of county administration. Today, it is one of the two remaining courthouses on the historic Eighth Judicial Circuit traveled by Abraham Lincoln. Exhibits focus on early regional history, the court system of the 1850s and Lincoln’s life on the Eighth Judicial Circuit. The courthouse is open to visitors on Saturdays from 12 to 3 p.m.

Another historic point of interest is the Adlai E. Stevenson I Home, a museum from the era of the American Civil War located one block from Metamora’s town square. In Eureka, the Ronald Reagan Museum at Eureka College preserves more than 10,000 objects from Ronald Reagan’s time as a student at Eureka College, his film and television career, his tenure as governor of California and his two terms as president of the United States. The Reagan Peace Garden on the historic campus includes a bust of the 40th president and a section of the Berlin Wall.

The Ronald Reagan Museum is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday visits are possible only by prior appointment, which must be made at least 72 hours in advance; the museum is closed on holidays. The Hunzinger Museum in Roanoke preserves collections on the history of Roanoke, including Native American artifacts, butterflies, an extensive stamp collection and photographs. It is open on Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend from 2 to 5 p.m.

Trails, parks and local experiences

For active days, Black Partridge Park in Metamora covers 450 acres with wooded areas, deep ravines, sports fields, playground equipment, pavilions and an extensive trail network. Lake Eureka lies within the city limits of Eureka and is surrounded by a city park with a playground and publicly accessible facilities for day use. The 5.4-mile Bike Trail & Walking Path in El Paso begins 1.5 miles north of El Paso, continues to South Pointe Park and passes through the community.

Metamora’s event calendar includes seasonal celebrations, parades, farmers markets and local concerts. In downtown Eureka, the Eureka Farmers Market takes place on selected Saturdays during the season. Local vendors offer fresh produce, baked goods, flowers and plants, handmade goods, arts and crafts products and food.

Additional places for trip planning

Another place in the county to include in your trip planning is Minonk. Additional destinations for orientation: Champaign, Cumberland County, Jersey County, Randolph, Logan, Effingham, Grundy County.

For the overarching travel overview: Illinois.